Belga offers some holiday pics from Albert and Paola in Saint Tropez. The caption says the pics are taken yesterday (10/09). If this is correct, then Paola finally got rid of her cast last week. And this for sure is a nice present, since she celebrates her 69th birthday today! (Source: Belga/MAXPPPclick here for more)

King Albert II (L) receives a plaque and a book from motocross rider Stefan Everts (C) alongside his partner Kelly Tureluur during a reception at the Royal Palace in Brussels to mark Everts' 10th motocross world title September 26, 2006.

And King Albert, who is well known for his passion for cars and motor-bikes, had a good time at the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the “Autoworld " motorcar museum on Tuesday. (Belga)

Thanks johann, where is the motormuseum?

The king must have had the time of his life btw. As you said, he is known for his passion for cars.
Does anybody know what car he drives himself? I know Paola drives a Smart. What about the other familymembers? They borrowed the Maybachs they used for the wedding of Laurent and Claire, right?
What happened to all the royal carriages btw? I noticed that during the funeral of Queen Astrid they were still used. WHen did they stop using them? Immediately after WWII?

The king must have had the time of his life btw. As you said, he is known for his passion for cars.
Does anybody know what car he drives himself? I know Paola drives a Smart. What about the other familymembers? They borrowed the Maybachs they used for the wedding of Laurent and Claire, right?
What happened to all the royal carriages btw? I noticed that during the funeral of Queen Astrid they were still used. WHen did they stop using them? Immediately after WWII?

Sorry forgot to mention it: the Autoworld museum is located in Brussels.

IIRC Albert sticks to Mercedes cars – in private as well as on duty. And the Maybach´s were indeed borrowed.
Laurent definitely inherited his father’s passion for fast cars. His motor pool is considered to be large (including some motor bikes, a Smart, a Mercedes van and a Porsche and presumably a Ferrari). He often drives with his Smart to official duties. But if you ask me this is more about creating a green or independant image than loving this tiny car (looks quite awkward when he crawls out of it …) (belga)

BTW for those who understand Dutch, here’s a clip about his driving skills (highlight: Laurent tries to assure that he respects the speed limit whilst the reporter notes that Laurent didn’t fasten his seat belt). Philippe drove a Porsche during his engagement period; lately you could see him driving vans (Chrysler Voyager, Mercedes Viano).
Don’t know what happened to the carriages. The Autoworld museum displays a state coach of Napoleon III., maybe thy have some Belgian carriages there as well.

The Belgian broadcaster VTM covered King Albert´s visit in Vienna (this thursday) in their evening news. Follow this link and go to Vrijdag 29/09, 19u, the clip starts at 19:30 min run time.
Topics: Meeting at the OSCE, where Albert demanded more activities against human trafficking , meeting with Austria´s president Fischer and visit at the Liechtenstein museum, where the world’s most expensive piece of furniture (27,5 million Euro) can be admired.
Slightly off topic: The following clip mentions a private visit of Queen Fabiola and Princess Mathilde at the Royal Museum for Art and History today, the prevoius clip feautures the Prince Louis´wedding.

King Albert received the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga at the Royal Palace in Brussels today. Miss Vike-Freiberga flew to Brussels for a working visit. She competes for the succession of Kofi Annan as UN secretary general. So she is quite busy these days ;-)
Credit: Getty, Belga, president.lv

Thanks Johann, good to see Vaira, one of the politicians I like best in Europe. And together on a picture with my favourite king, merci. The Queen is still having troubles with her arm I presume (hence the absence).

Thanks Johann, good to see Vaira, one of the politicians I like best in Europe. And together on a picture with my favourite king, merci. The Queen is still having troubles with her arm I presume (hence the absence).

I guess this was just a work meeting of two heads of state. So no need of spouses and Imants Freibergs was left at home as well
Paola seems to have recovered well. She looked relaxed last Wednesday (see post 150).